Hi everyone,
I am planning to build a small, insulated outdoor workshop, approximately 7’x10′ (with large doors to expand the usable space outdoors in the summer). I am located in Ottawa, Canada so it is cold here in the winter!
I would like to keep the space modestly heated in the winter so that I can store supplies and equipment out there (tools, tool batteries, glues, finishes, paints…) without them being damaged. I would also turn the heat up when I am using the shop (maybe once or twice a week).
What would you suggest as a minimum temperature to keep it to avoid anything being damaged by the cold? I am hoping the answer is not 70F… would be pretty expensive to heat!
Thanks!
Replies
depends on what exactly you want to store there. (and what the specification for storage temperature is for each item)
Your items will do better if they are stored on shelving with ventilation and some space along the wall behind and below to let air circulate. If you dense-pack along the wall, or store in closed cabinets mounted to the wall, the items will become part of the insulating wall from a thermal basis, and it is possible to freeze the items closest to the wall when those further inside would be ok.
Don't forget to insulate the floor. If you will use resistance electric heat, you can put the heat in the floor and save some space.
I would start with the thermostat set at 45 or 50 (5-10 C) for the first winter, and move a high/low recording thermostat around to see what the actual temperatures are in various places during cold weather.
That's a good point about the ventilation around the items, will try to incorporate that. And will definitely insulate the floor too! Thanks!
I was surprised that most of my glues/finishes/etc. did not have any recommendation for storage temperature on the containers (sometimes they have a min. application temperature). I will try to check for some product data sheets online.
Above freezing is the minimum. You don't want water based glues and finishes to freeze. So, 45F is a reasonable number.
TiteBond wood glues all say "Do Not Freeze" on the bottle. (I assume that means the glue, not the gluer.)
I have a larger shop, 25 x 25 in the Ottawa area. I researched this subject a few years ago. I have a mix of woodworking equipment and mechanics tools in the shop. The magic number I found is to not drop below 10 degrees Celsius to avoid the metal tools from sweating as they warm and cool. The shop has an electric garage heater (240v) and an infrared heater which I only use when I feel a need for it. 2x6 insulated stud walls and an insulated wood floor over the concrete slab (11/2 rigid foam). Costs me between $80-&140 per month for hydro (separate meter to garage so this is accurate and current) to the garage which includes heat, battery charging, garage door opener for the uninsulated area where I park my car, lights and tool use.